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☾ twenty - five ☾

'Well, I guess it can't be helped.'

Although it was very rude of him to leave so abruptly, I didn't want to hold on to someone who looked anguished.

"It's all right, you can be on your way. Please take care of yourself, you don't look so well."

"Thank you, my beautiful and kind lady. I wish you all the best and hope that you will find someone worthy to attend the party with."

He bowed deeply and said his goodbyes while leaving behind an exaggerated compliment.

'Well, there are still others left that I can ask, so it's not a big deal.'

It wasn't long after he left that Marilyn came in with the tea cart.

To be honest, I felt more comfortable drinking tea alone, so I didn't think much about the empty seat across from me that Lord Rowain was occupying just a few minutes ago.

"Marilyn, as for the setting..."

As I was about to tell Marilyn she only needed to prepare one set for me, someone entered the sitting room.

"Father...you're here?"

Thankfully, I think I spoke naturally, hiding my surprise.

He nodded in response to my greeting.

'Don't tell me he heard everything and now he's here to talk about the marriage proposal?'

Surprised by his sudden appearance, I stared at him nervously as he slowly approached me and spoke. "Were you about to have tea?"

"Yes."

At my curt reply, he moved to sit in the chair across from me–and quite naturally, in fact.

"I was feeling parched so this is good timing."

I glanced at the steaming cup of tea before staring at my father with trembling eyes.

'You're going to quench your thirst with hot tea?'

Frankly, I thought it was quite strange, but I didn't let it show.

"The tea is quite hot. It'd be best to wait until it cools down a little before you drink, Father. If not, plain water would be good too."

I was about to ask him if he would like some water instead when he spoke up. "Alright, then I suppose I can converse with you until the tea cools."

'I thought he would leave to go get some water but to think he's going to be drinking tea with me instead.'

I swallowed in nervousness at the unexpected situation, but after seeing the teacups on the table, I suddenly realized.

'Well, I ended up not having to have tea all by myself.'

Then, my father lifted his cup with an elegant hand gesture while staring at me.

His eyes were sharp, as if he was observing me, but I only smiled brightly in response and reached for one of the cookies.

'Although they say drinking tea can help alleviate nervousness, there's a limit to how much it can help...'

_

"What did you just say?"

Madam Freesia opened her mouth with a bright smile at the deep voice.

"I said Lady Floyen sent a letter to Count Rowain's son, accepting his partner request."

Partner.

It was something that had been bothering him for a while, but Max maintained his composure, replying with a nonchalant. "I see."

Freesia then teasingly added.

"On the surface, he's a handsome, well-mannered young man, but rumors have it that Lord Rowain is actually a playboy who's reduced several ladies to tears."

As soon as she finished, a harsh frown took over Max's face.

'That woman, I told her to not only look at the faces and yet...'

Max felt a wave of anger that he could not understand take over.

"So, are they confirmed to be attending the party together?"

He asked in a biting tone.

Freesia clicked her tongue.

"Although I'm not sure if I should say it's fortunate or unfortunate, it seems Lord Rowain turned her down–"

Max raised his voice before Freesia could even finish.

"A mere count's son dared to refuse who now?!"

'Well, what am I supposed to do about it?'

Freesia let out a sigh, once again clicking her tongue at his response.

'If you care so much about her, you could just request to be her partner yourself...'

Then, Max opened his mouth.

"Did you find the source of the rumors you mentioned earlier?"

At Max's question, Freesia's eyes lit up.

"Oh, yes, I found it."

"Who was it?"

Despite the murderous aura emitting from him, Freesia spoke with a smile.

"Oh, can you believe it, it was started by Viscount Doyle's son, Lord Rydian!"

When Max's face hardened at the remark, Freesia appeared to have expected this response, adding, "It's quite amusing, isn't it? The fact that Mikhail is just sitting on the sidelines, being a bystander while his own cousin is slandering the one who used to be his lover."

Max remained silent in thought for a few moments before finally speaking.

"Find dirt on Marquess Hessen and Viscount Doyle, as well as the ones who sent her partner requests."

"Pardon? But...!"

Before she could even say anything, the man had already left.

"That information has already been bought by the Duke of Floyen." Freesia muttered with a sigh.

_

The atmosphere was tense, but I was actually feeling relatively calm.

'Well, it's not the first time he's surprised me like this, I'm used to keeping my emotions in check now.'

I sipped my tea.

"Have you found a partner?"

At my father's sudden question, I knew the inevitable had finally come.

'It probably isn't a good idea to tell him the truth.'

If I confessed that I had gotten rejected by the one who was supposed to be my partner, my father may take that opportunity and bring up talks of the marriage proposal, urging me to go on a blind date with the one I wanted to avoid.

'I need to buy some time until I can figure out a strategy.'

I put down my cup and spoke calmly. "Well, I'm still thinking about it."

"If, by chance, you're unable to find a partner..."

My father paused, staring at me in the eye before continuing in a firm voice. "Be sure to tell me."

'Father, just what are you planning on doing if I tell you?'

_

[ note : more misunderstandings lmao ]